Shloka 37

सीताहरणम्

Ravana reveals his true form and abducts Sita

Devanagari script

सा तदा करुणा वाचो विलपन्ती सुदुःखिता।।3.49.37।।वनस्पतिगतं गृध्रं ददर्शाऽयतलोचना।

Transliteration

sā tadā karuṇā vāco vilapantī suduḥkhitā || 3.49.37 ||

vanaspati-gataṃ gṛdhraṃ dadarśā 'yatalocanā |

Translation

അപ്പോൾ അത്യന്തം ദുഃഖിതയായി, കരുണവചനങ്ങളാൽ വിലപിച്ചുകൊണ്ടിരുന്ന വിശാലനേത്രയായ സീത, ഒരു വൃക്ഷത്തിൽ ഇരുന്നിരുന്ന ഒരു ഗൃദ്ധ്രത്തെ കണ്ടു.

Word by Word

साshe

तदाthen

करुणाःpiteous

वाचःwords

विलपन्तीlamenting

सुदुःखिताdeeply distressed

वनस्पतिगतम्perched on a tree

गृध्रम्vulture

ददर्शsaw

आयतलोचनाthe long-eyed lady

Context

When the grief-stricken, large-eyed Sita was lamenting piteously, she saw the vulture (Jatayu) seated on a tree.

Characters & Entities

Sītā

Jatāyu (implied as the vulture)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Compassion in suffering and the moral universe of the epic: Sītā’s lament sets the stage for dharmic intervention by a righteous ally (Jatāyu).

What is the narrative situation?

In the midst of abduction and grief, Sītā notices Jatāyu seated on a tree.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Sītā’s endurance and emotional honesty; the scene also anticipates Jatāyu’s dharmic courage.